Participation and coping

What implications might an understanding of a mutual dependence between the concepts of participation and coping have for professional engagement with service users? This article presents why participation is central to peoples’ lives and how service user coping with and personal participating in everyday life might be understood. Service users have access to personal and environmental resources and want to manage their everyday life as much as possible. To be able to cope they have to participate. An analytical framework was developed as a result of a study based on qualitative interviews with service users in Norway. A framework was constructed to explore how the service users participated and coped with their everyday life – both on an individual level and through interactions with their environment. This framework emerged from preliminary analysis and was then used in further analysis of the data. The study showed that professionals would be advised to build on the participation and coping that service users had established in their daily life as citizens as well as people using social services. Some service users expressed that the more social contexts they participated in, the better they experienced their coping.

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Challenges and Coping: Perspectives of Syrian and Iraqi Refugee Youth in Germany

Journal of Adolescent Research ◽

10.1177/07435584211056069 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074355842110560

Author(s):

Lina Alhaddad ◽

Robin Goodwin ◽

Patricia Kanngiesser

Keyword(s):

Social Services ◽

Coping Resources ◽

Active Engagement ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Refugee Youth ◽

Individual Level ◽

Societal Level ◽

Iraqi Refugee ◽

The Individual ◽

And Coping

Refugee youth constitute around a third of the refugee population in Germany. We studied the experiences of newly arrived Syrian and Iraqi refugee youth, aged 14 to 18 years ( N = 20), in Germany. We utilized semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to investigate (a) the main challenges faced by youth and (b) their main coping resources to deal with these challenges. We grouped challenges into three levels: the individual level, the immediate social level, and the broader societal level. The most frequently mentioned challenges in our sample related to psychological wellbeing, school, friendship, accommodation, and discrimination. Youth reported relying on social support (friends, family, social services) and on themselves (through avoidance, persistence, activity seeking, active engagement) to cope with their challenges. Our findings provide insights into refugee youth’s experiences in Germany, encompassing the acculturative, developmental, and generational aspects of their lives and demonstrating their coping and resilience. We discuss our results in relation to the literature on refugee youth in high income countries.

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Treatment challenges for alcohol service users in Kampala, Uganda

The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research ◽

10.7895/ijadr.v6i1.240 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 27-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

David Kalema ◽

Wouter Vanderplasschen ◽

Sofie Vindevogel ◽

Peter K Baguma ◽

Ilse Derluyn

Keyword(s):

Service Providers ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Capital City ◽

Treatment Center ◽

Service Users ◽

Individual Level ◽

Treatment Participation ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Individual

Kalema, D., Vanderplasschen, W., Vindevogel, S., Baguma, P., & Derluyn, I. (2017). Treatment challenges for alcohol service users in Kampala, Uganda. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 6(1), 27-35. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v6i1.240Background and Aims: Enhancing treatment participation of persons with substance use disorders is a challenge worldwide. Obstacles keeping people from entering or continuing treatment are well documented in Western countries, but such knowledge is scarce in majority countries that face particular challenges when implementing alcohol policies. This study aimed at identifying factors challenging treatment participation in Uganda, a Sub-Saharan country with a considerable alcohol problem.Methods: Data were collected during 30 in-depth, qualitative interviews on treatment challenges with 20 service providers and 10 male service users, who were recruited at one public and one private alcohol treatment center in the Ugandan capital city, Kampala. Men comprise about 90% of the total number of service users in these centers. Interview data were analyzed thematically, using Nvivo software, and were categorized around three levels of treatment challenges: societal, institutional, and personal challenges.Findings: Interview findings showed several treatment challenges relating to institutional aspects like inadequate human resources, overall insufficiency of services, and the treatment philosophy of available services. Respondents identified stigma and cultural interference as important challenges at the societal level, while limited awareness about addiction and denial of problems can be situated at the individual level.Conclusions: Institutional, societal, and personal challenges keep persons with AUD from participating in alcohol treatment in public and private services in Uganda. Alcohol regulation, sensitization, and prevention are needed to raise awareness at the societal and individual level, while appropriate training and additional financial resources may help to overcome institutional challenges.

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Psychosocial, emotional and professional challenges faced by female healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lahore, Pakistan: a qualitative study

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01344-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sumbal Shahbaz ◽

Muhammad Zeshan Ashraf ◽

Rubeena Zakar ◽

Florian Fischer

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Working Environment ◽

Cultural Issues ◽

Self Reflection ◽

Professional Challenges ◽

Proper Training ◽

Phenomenological Methodology ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

And Coping

Abstract Background The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly, increasing the stress and challenges for healthcare professionals around the world. This study aims to discover the psychosocial, emotional and professional challenges faced by female healthcare professionals (HCPs) treating COVID-19 patients in Pakistan. Methods Using an empirical phenomenological methodology, semi-structured telephone-based qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 female HCPs who were providing their expertise for COVID-19 patients in tertiary-level hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Purposive sampling was used for recruitment. The interviews were conducted between 20 July and 20 August 2020. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results This study explored the psychosocial, emotional and professional challenges faced by female HCPs serving COVID-19 patients. Five themes were observed in the interviews: apprehension while treating COVID-19 patients; feelings towards COVID-19 patients; challenges as female HCPs and coping strategies; confidence in government, administration and self-reflection; and finally, future concerns and recommendations. Many of these themes have also been linked with cultural issues, making the results specific to Pakistan. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, female frontline HCPs have faced immense psychosocial pressure, ranging from unsupportive family norms to an unwelcoming working environment and insensitive hospital administrations. Moreover, rumours among the general public, lack of proper training, missing incentives and improper system surveillance have increased the anxiety and stress among HCPs. Hence, legislators are advised to take appropriate actions countrywide in order to alleviate the still ongoing challenges and support female HCPs in their working environment.

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“When we talk about intimate partner violence we talk in an adult way” – Social workers’ descriptions of intimate partner violence between teenagers

Qualitative Social Work ◽

10.1177/14733250211002890 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 147332502110028

Author(s):

Emmy Högström Tagesson ◽

Carina Gallo

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Social Workers ◽

Social Services ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Treatment Quality ◽

Age And Gender ◽

The Social ◽

And Gender

This article examines how seven social workers within the Swedish social services describe intimate partner violence between teenagers (IPV-BT). The article adds to the literature by examining IPV-BT outside a U.S. context, where most studies have been conducted. Based on semistructured qualitative interviews, the authors analyze descriptions of IPV-BT in relation to Charles Tilly’s notion of category making through transfer, encounter, negotiation, and imposition. They also analyze how the social workers’ descriptions of IPV-BT relate to the intersection between age and gender. The results show that the social workers mostly described IPV-BT by referring to encounters with teenagers and by transferring knowledge and theoretical definitions from their specialized working areas, primarily intimate partner violence between adults (IPV-BA) and troubled youth. More rarely, the social workers based their definitions of IPV-BT upon negotiating dialogues with teenagers. Also, those who worked in teams specialized on IPV had the mandate to impose their definitions of IPV-BT to other professionals and teenagers. When taking age and gender hierarchies in consideration, the results show IPV-BT risks being subordinate IPV-BA on a theoretical level, a practical level and in terms of treatment quality. The study suggests that social work with IPV-BT needs to be sensitive to the double subordinations of the teenage girl and of the teenagers who do not follow gender expectations.

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Partnership in Post-Adoption Services Evaluating the First Year of a Complementary Contract

Adoption & Fostering ◽

10.1177/030857599702100308 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 50-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alan Burnell ◽

Adrian Briggs

Keyword(s):

Social Services ◽

Comprehensive Assessment ◽

First Year ◽

Service Users ◽

Adoptive Families ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

One Year ◽

Families With Children ◽

Consultation Services

In the autumn 1995 edition of Adoption & Fostering, Alan Burnell and Adrian Briggs described the origins and objectives of a novel complementary contract between East Sussex Social Services and the Post-Adoption Centre (PAC), aimed at providing post-adoption counselling and consultation services to all those involved in adoption in the county. The same authors now evaluate the operation of the contract, one year on. After filling in some background they assess its achievements so far, with particular regard to the extra support to service users and staff, and reducing the risk of disruption. The article concludes that the first year of the contract has demonstrated the need for comprehensive assessment and treatment services for adoptive families with children experiencing attachment difficulties.

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The potential impacts of community drug checking within the overdose crisis: qualitative study exploring the perspective of prospective service users

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11243-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bruce Wallace ◽

Thea van Roode ◽

Flora Pagan ◽

Dennis Hore ◽

Bernadette Pauly

Keyword(s):

Harm Reduction ◽

Drug Market ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Service Users ◽

Socioecological Model ◽

Individual Level ◽

Universal Approach ◽

Drug Checking ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background As drug checking becomes more integrated within public health responses to the overdose crisis, and potentially more institutionalized, there is value in critically questioning the impacts of drug checking as a harm reduction response. Methods As part of a pilot project to implement community drug checking in Victoria, BC, Canada, in-depth interviews (N = 27) were held with people who use or have used substances, family or friends of people who use substances, and/or people who make or distribute substances. Critical harm reduction and social justice perspectives and a socioecological model guided our analysis to understand the potential role of drug checking within the overdose crisis, from the perspective of prospective service users. Results Participants provided insight into who might benefit from community drug checking and potential benefits. They indicated drug checking addresses a “shared need” that could benefit people who use substances, people who care for people who use substances, and people who sell substances. Using a socioecological model, we identified four overarching themes corresponding to benefits at each level: “drug checking to improve health and wellbeing of people who use substances”, “drug checking to increase quality control in an unregulated market”, “drug checking to create healthier environments”, and “drug checking to mediate policies around substance use”. Conclusions Drug checking requires a universal approach to meet the needs of diverse populations who use substances, and must not be focused on abstinence based outcomes. As a harm reduction response, community drug checking has potential impacts beyond the individual level. These include increasing power and accountability within the illicit drug market, improving the health of communities, supporting safer supply initiatives and regulation of substances, and mitigating harms of criminalization. Evaluation of drug checking should consider potential impacts that extend beyond individual behaviour change and recognize lived realities and structural conditions.

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Examining the needs of persons experiencing homelessness: Bringing the voice of lived experience to policy priorities

International Journal on Homelessness ◽

10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13651 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 14-31

Author(s):

Elise Smith ◽

Piper Moore ◽

Sarah Canham

Keyword(s):

Lived Experience ◽

Social Services ◽

Salt Lake ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Basic Needs ◽

Federal State ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Health And Social Services ◽

State And Local ◽

Services And Supports

Policy related to homelessness varies across federal, state, and local levels influencing access to health and social services among persons experiencing homelessness. With a diversity of community stakeholders comes a diversity of ideas about which health and social services to provide and prioritize. Despite the unique insights PEH are able to offer on their own situations, their voices often remain excluded from research and policy. The aim of the current study was to identify the basic needs and health and social service priorities of PEH, to incorporate these voices into policy decisions and prioritization. Fifteen participants age 18 and older who had any experience of homelessness in Salt Lake Countyparticipated in in-depth qualitative interviews between February and March 2020. Open-ended questions enabled the interviews to naturally progress and focus on what was most relevant to participants and their experience. Data were categorized into the services and supports identified as the most needed by PEH and to help lift people out of homelessness: 1) Housing and shelter, 2) Income and employment, 3) Transportation, 4) Food, 5) Physical and mental health services, and 6) Social support. We describe the needs, challenges, and solutions as identified and narrated by study participants. Findings offer critical insight into how the homelessness crisis should be approached by policymakers as the ways in which PEH understand and utilize the system of available resources and supports must align with their abilities and realities. Without these in-depth discussions with PEH about how they understand and meet their basic needs, there will be ongoing gaps in service delivery and mismatches in the attempts made to serve this population.

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The role of media within young people’s socialization: A theoretical approach

Communications ◽

10.1515/commun-2018-2016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 407-426

Author(s):

Ingrid Paus-Hasebrink

Keyword(s):

Everyday Life ◽

Theoretical Approach ◽

Panel Study ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Subjective Perception ◽

Developmental Tasks ◽

Structural Components ◽

Perception Action

Abstract Researching the role of media within young people’s socialization requires an integrative approach that understands socialization as a contextual, interlinked process in which children construct their approach to life against the background of ‘developmental tasks’ and of the relevant social contexts. This article presents a praxeological approach that combines subjective and structural components of practice and that has been put into practice by means of a qualitative longitudinal-panel study on children’s socialization. The approach is based on three analytical concepts, options for action, outlines for action, and competences for action, and advances an interlinkage of subjective perception, action-driving orientations, and everyday-life practices against the backdrop of (changing) socio-structural conditions.

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Examining the Needs of Culturally Diverse Rural Caregivers who Have Adults with Severe Developmental Disabilities Living with Them

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1606/1044-3894.1011 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 174-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Elizabeth Ann Gammon

Keyword(s):

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Social Services ◽

Culturally Diverse ◽

Developmental Delays ◽

Coping Skills ◽

Service Needs ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Rural Caregivers ◽

Severe Developmental Disabilities ◽

And Coping

This article presents the results of a study of rural caregivers who have adults with severe developmental delays living at home with them. It examines their demographic characteristics, their perceived levels of stress, and the coping skills they use to deal with that stress. This article provides information on the availability and utilization of social services for the adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) and their families. In addition, the service needs, stresses experienced, and coping skills of these families are examined according to majority and minority racial status. This type of information should be valuable to policy makers, agency administrators, and program planners to improve the development, targeting, and accessibility of rural programs and services. For the purpose of this study, the term “developmental disability” refers to both mental and physical delays and is sometimes represented as MR/DD, which is consistent with the literature on this population.

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